Roundabout - St Augustine's with St Luke's
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
roundabout
The Parish Magazine of St. Augustine’s Church, Southborough Lane with St.Luke’s Church, Bromley Common
Issue 530 March 2022
‘Thousands left without power’
Storms have been very much at the forefront of our minds recently.
We have experienced powerful, violent winds which have caused
mass destruction and impacted whole communities. Three people in
the UK died and thousands of people were ‘left without power’
following the devastating winds which tore across the country.
Coincidentally, or ‘God-incidentally’, as I like to say, last Sunday our Bible reading
was all about a windstorm on the Sea of Galilee and how the disciples who followed
Jesus reacted in the middle of sudden danger, (Luke, chapter 8 verses 22-25). In church we considered that life will
throw us all kinds of storms, not just the ‘Dudley’ and ‘Eunice’ kind, but trials and challenges which feel like a
sudden tempest in our lives. Life’s storms are indiscriminate and at some point each one of us will experience one:
perhaps in the form of unexpected trauma or illness, the ending of a relationship, financial threat or losing a loved
one. Life’s personal ‘storms’ often threaten to overwhelm us and ‘leave us without power.’
During challenging times we will always turn to something. Human nature often directs us to over-focus on the
very thing which is overwhelming us ~ as we stare at the eye of the storm it usually generates more fear and
anxiety.
Jesus’ petrified followers are floundering in the storm and expecting the worst to happen; they seem to be ‘left
without power’ and Jesus challenges them,“Where is your faith?” They have put their faith in the power of the
storm rather than in the Lord who is right next to them.
If fear and faith stand at opposite ends of a long room, with us in the middle, how can we be focussing on the fear at
the same time as looking towards the Lord of the universe? We will turn to face one or the other. It is easy to say
we ‘have faith in Jesus Christ’ when life is comfy and secure, but as Christians our faith is primarily tested when we
hit the storm and drag our eyes towards Christ and say, “You are in charge here.” This is by no means an easy
response, but I challenge you to try this: each time a trial comes your way this month, turn your fear into a prayer
and ask Christ to be the power in your situation.
…’Do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)
As members of St. Augustine’s with St. Luke’s, we seek to follow Jesus’ command
— to share God’s love with our community.
Tribute
Recollections of Betty Dawson
I first met Betty after Katrina had responded to an email from me asking
for a retired English teacher who would be very ‘old school’ (that is what
my Supervisor suggested) in order to check my work from a grammatical
point of view. Well, I was not to be disappointed.
We are talking about 12 years ago, but I think even then Betty was ‘of an
age’ but mentally and physically just fired up! I would see her fairly
regularly and drop off the latest chapter in draft form for her comments
and, not only did she check the grammar and spelling, she was also very
Betty (right) with Viv Edgley
good about sentence structure and style. My research was focussed on
clergy review/appraisal and I think she became quite interested in the topic. Towards the end, I would sometimes
see her every couple of weeks, and she always made time for me. When I submitted my Doctoral Thesis, at my viva
(where you are interviewed by an internal and external academic) both learned professors commented on the high
quality of the grammar and punctuation – there was little that needed changing.
So a big thank you, Betty, and like many others, I am thinking if ever there was someone who was now resting in our
Lord’s nearer presence due to her faith and service, it has got to be Betty.
Venerable Paul Wright
Arriving in Bromley in1976 we can’t remember when we first met Betty. However, it was clear that she was at the
heart of every aspect of church family life. As someone recently said Betty was Mrs St. Augustine!
From the amazing dramatic productions at Christmas, and Easter; the musicals Greater than Gold, From Pharaoh to
Freedom, Cinderella Revisited, Salad Days, The Davidson Affair, the list goes on. Each event fed the faith of so
many; those exploring belief and discovering what it meant to be a Christian. Her involvement in Pathfinders,
Family Service Choir and the Music Group led each group to incorporate the best of the new musical traditions with
the finest of the conventional.
Betty was an encourager who saw potential in others both as a teacher at school and within the church.
Subsequently, I was reluctantly persuaded to take on leadership of the music group when Betty decided that it was
time for her to step aside. At that time I couldn’t read music but I did know the guitar chords… I was learning to
play the piano at that time and Betty was so pleased that I went on to earn a distinction for my Grade 1 exam. The
rest, as they say, is history.
Betty was one of the first people with whom I shared my sense of call to ordained ministry. She supported,
challenged when necessary and was so pleased when my ministry grew and developed in many and diverse ways.
One of John’s abiding memories is of a rehearsal in the Barnard Room of the Bernard Cribbins’ song: ‘Right said
Fred’, it was for the next Harvest Supper. During one rehearsal Betty suggested repeating the action again, so John
had to fall off the stepladder. After 5 repetitions of falling John suggested that his action did not need any further
rehearsing and Betty apologetically agreed…
Whenever a fresh innovation came, Betty was there supporting and encouraging: ‘The Easter Experience,’ ‘The
Christmas Journey,’ Betty saw the potential, supported each venture and persuaded others to recognise and welcome
the vision – and more importantly to take the risk.
We know that many others can add to this story of a special person who touched the lives of so many. On behalf of
all of those, young and old, Betty we thank God for you for your life and ministry among us.
Canon Katrina Barnes
2 Roundabout March 2022
Charity Page
From the beginning of March you will see people wearing large yellow hats
and tabards collecting money for Marie Curie. This is the month when their
Great Daffodil Appeal takes place. Or you might see people proudly
wearing their daffodil badges, showing that a donation has been made to this wonderful charity. Last year they
were unable to collect in March due to Covid, but an extra collection took place just before Christmas. This year
as things get back to some sort of normality, the collectors will turn out again in force. I will be one of them.
Founded in 1948, Marie Curie now provides a variety of services for people diagnosed with cancer. They provide
• care for terminally ill people, helping them to stay at home until the end of their lives
• hospice care
• volunteers who offer companionship and emotional support by a chat on the phone or a regular visit
• bereavement support for families who have lost loved ones
• and a significant contribution towards research into cancer
Their National Day of Reflection on 23 March this year will enable communities to come together to pause,
reflect and support each other during their toughest times, especially those who have lost loved ones during the
pandemic.
So if you see a collector out in the community this month, please buy a daffodil and celebrate the valuable work
that this charity does.
Sue Goodger
Spring
Thank you God, for signs of Spring! 23rd Bromley
(St. AugusKne’s) Scout
Thank you for the Joy they bring Group
Forgive us when we turn away,
and let our foolish footsteps stray.
TABLE SALE
Saturday 9th April 2022
It's when we feel too weak to cope,
10.00am – 12.00
your steadfast Love restores our Free Entry
hope.
Tables available £10
So thank you God, our Lord and King! each
We thank you God, for everything! (set up 9.30am)
Sally Morris Contact Helen 07775
695 091
Scout HQ, Homemead
Road, BR2 8BB
Roundabout March 2022
3
Church News
The New Girl
At the end of January I found out, how people who come into church for the first time, are feeling.
We had been told that the next 10 am service would be café style. As well as some of the usual
features of the service we would sit around tables with tea, coffee and pastries and a chance to
chat.
I felt anxious. How would this work? What would the church look like? Where
would I sit? Who else would be there? Those who follow our services on Zoom were
asked to have a candle, a kitchen timer, toothpaste, scissors, pens and paper available. What
was going to happen?
Sunday came and I walked into a very different looking church. Lots of tables were there
laid up with bowls of fruit, pastries and the daunting items required.
We sang, then Helen gave us various team challenges, we listened to wise words from the leaders and of course
prayed. It must be said that our efforts at writing with toothpaste would not have gone down well on Bake-Off!
The service had been different but I felt we had worshipped God.
In the evening I went to St. Luke’s for a candlelit evening service to celebrate Candlemas. There were reflections
and Taize chants. The church looked beautiful with fairy lights and the lovely columns in the choir floodlit in
mauve.
Both services have been meaningful to me and God has been in the midst of both. We are very blessed to be able to
experience different types of worship. Now I must take care to look out for anyone coming to church for the first
time and make sure they feel welcome.
Ann Hanrahan
It was lovely to hear the church bells being rung for the Candlelight Service at St. Luke’s recently.
They were able to ring the full eight bells, with help from their friends at Bromley Parish Church and
St. Mary’s church, St. Mary Cray
Thirty Years old
On the 10 March 1992 the first meeting of Ravensbourne Trefoil Guild was held. The
Guild was formed by Joan Kemp, a valued member of St Augustine’s church.
It started with sixteen members. As there was already a Guild in Bromley, it was decided
to call this new Guild Ravensbourne, after the local telephone exchange and the river. There
are now 26 members.
We enjoy meetings, outings, holidays and friendship. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month at
7.15 pm, in the Garden Room, St Augustine’s Church. If you would like further information, please ring
me on 020 8467 5629.
Ann Hanrahan
4 Roundabout March 2022
Diary of a First-Time Mother
Words…
Words - we all speak them, write them, type them, and read them on a daily basis. A Little Girl I Know came home
from school the other day saying that she had been set the task of writing an essay on a given subject that had to be
several hundred words long. Instantly I was reminded of being charged with the same task when I was at school, I
struggled with it to say the very least. A Little Girl finds it somewhat easier and getting her to stop is often more
difficult. For a child with dyslexia, I find this amazing.
A recent essay subject was ‘Last Words’ something I thought difficult for someone so young. We talked about it as
we drove home that evening. I told her that often the last words spoken by someone famous might been shared after
they had passed away, as sometimes they are meaningful and inspiring for those left behind. They are ones that stick
in the mind long after the event. I told her about my Great Aunt ,who every time I visited her in the old peoples’
home, where she spent her final years, would say to me, ‘… you don’t want to get old’. Maybe she was right as only
a few days before I felt myself getting quite upset when a colleague told me that I was now middle-aged. Sadly, as
the mother of a young child, I find it difficult to believe that maybe my work friend was right.
A very special Christian friend recently told me, ‘Things would get worse before they got better’, referring to a
challenging situation that we as a family are going through. Those words often come to mind and they encourage
me to keep plodding along in the hope that she might be right.
A Little Girl I Know did some research and found some really good quotes from famous people whose last words
had left a lasting impression after they passed away. She enjoyed looking through a note book where I have written
down sayings that have made me laugh or cry over the years. A particularly special one was used at the funeral
service of a friend of mine many years ago. It is to be found on a grave in Keston Parish Church, a special place that
my friend and I had discovered when we were younger than A Little Girl I Know; I have never forgotten it.
The life that I have A sleep I shall have
Is all that I have A rest I shall have
And the life that I have Yet death will be but a pause.
Is yours
For the peace of my years
The love that I have In the long green grass
Of the life that I have Will be yours and yours and yours.
Is yours and yours and yours.
Leo Marks
5
Roundabout March 2022
Parish People
Our thoughts are with the family of Betty Dawson, who were with her in hospital when she passed away on 17
February. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
They are also with David Allison whose father Derek passed away in January, ten months after his mother Maureen.
A celebration of Derek’s life was held at Bluebell Cemetery and led by Revd. Rachel Winn on the windiest day for
over 100 years
Congratulations to Steve and Linda Spencer on the birth of their third grandchild, a daughter for Laura and son-in-
law John. Phoebe Ella, who was born on 28 January weighing 5lb 15oz is a sister for Harvey and Abigail
Rev Andy Hobbs was a Curate at St Augustine’s and in 2017 moved to St.
Mary’s, Hoo to take up his first incumbency. In May Andy, Jill and their
four children will be on the move again – this time to the parish of St
Michael’s Cofton Hackett and St Andrew’s Barnt Green in the Diocese of
Birmingham.
…..There is no need for Canon Katrina Barnes to to move house take
up her next job. After retirement from full time ministry and following
successful cancer treatment, in March she will be interim Archdeacon of
Bromley and Bexley pending the Bishop of Rochester’s appointment of a
permanent successor to theVenerable Paul Wright.
Fifty years ago Dickie Dawson and a small team produced a magazine for the parish
with the title ‘Roundabout’. It flourished and its success and continued production
was down to two elements which Dickie and Betty held dear: people and words.
Editors, topics and technology have changed, but Betty’s support has been ever
present. We would get suggestions for contributions, encouraging words just when
we needed them and all delivered, handwritten, in her beautiful script.
We love putting ‘Roundabout’ together, bringing God’s love to those know Him and
those who, as yet, do not. Words and people: thank you Betty and Dickie.
The Roundabout Team
FORGET ME NOT
Keep your news coming to me either by seeing me in church
on Sunday morning or alternatively, you may like to email it to
CAFE
Memory cafe for anyone with dementia,
me at jackysskinner@gmail.com. Thank you. their families,
carers and friends.
Where: The Garden Room
Bromley Osteopaths AVICRAFT Mark’s House Clearance St. Auustine's Church
Charles R.S.Read, WOOL Full or Part House Clearances Southborough Lane
D.O., & Associates Wool and Haberdashery Lofts, Cellars and Garages Bromey BR2 8AT
020 8467 4451 Deliveries and Collections When: Third Tuesday in the
13, Claremont Road, Unit 2, 15 Chatterton Road
Man & Van
Bickley, BR1 2JL
Bromley BR2 9QW month between 1.30 – 3.30pm
Traditional & Cranial Tea, coffee and cakes available (Payment by
Acute & Chronic conditions Avicraftwool@gmail.com donation)
Sports Injury Clinic
Children’s Clinic
www.avicraftwool.com Contact – Diana Pattison on 020 8464 1151 or
Male & Female practitioners dianaepattison@gmail.com
Open Wed to Sat 10 - 4 07952 716936
(Run by the members of The Bromley Common Group of Churches)
6 Roundabout March 2022
Dates for your Diary Roundabout March 2022 7
Update
Staff Contact Details
Vicar Rev Steve Spencer 020 8467 1351
Curate Rev Rachel Winn 07311 330202
Youth and Schools Helen Baker 07576 233119
Licensed Lay Minister Alan Mitchell 07985 070734
Licensed Lay Minister Verity Mitchell 07379 294826
Churchwarden Hilary Chittock 07884 195700
Parish Office: Linda Spencer 020 8295 1550
Mon-Fri 9.00 am - !.00 pm Victoria Bouwer office@st-augustines.org.uk
You are welcome to worship with us, our regular Sunday Services for March are:
Sunday 6 March 10.00 am St. Augustine’s Morning Worship
Sunday 13 March 10.00 am St. Augustine’s Holy Communion
Sunday 20 March 10.00 am St. Augustine’s
Sunday 27March 10.00 am St. Augustine’s Holy Communion
The 10 am service will also be live streamed on our You Tube channel.
St. Augustine’s Church Rooms and St. Luke’s Hall have reopened for hire for activities which are
permitted under current rules, contact Liz Carter on 020 8467 8155
Our vicar Steve Spencer can also be contacted at revsteve.spencer@btinternet.com
ROUNDABOUT March issue: EditorAnn Hanrahan Layout Adrian King.
The April 2022 issue will be printed and published on the St. Augustine’s and St Luke’s website.
Editor: Sue Goodger (sue_goodger@ntlworld.com) Layout: Karen Palmer - kajpal@live.com
Please send all articles in plain unformatted text and all photos separate from the text
to be received by March 23
MK LANDSCAPING & MINGS PICTURE We have a
PROPERTY SERVICES MAN WITH A DRILL
W. UDEN & SONS www.mklandscapingandproperty.co.uk FRAMING
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Est.1881
est. 1978 Would you like all those little household jobs done?
• Garden Services Lawn care & Turfing We will put up your own Mirrors, Pictures, Towel
MONUMENTAL MASONS • Landscaping , Patios, Walls, Sleepers Efficient, Reliable Service rails, Shelves, Wall Cabinets, Smoke Detectors,
The Family Business That Still Offers You • Handyman services • Shed Bases Re-roofing Radiator Covers, Medicine Cabinets. Also flat pack
A Personal Service Free Advice and furniture assembly.
Tree pruning Hedge trimming Fencing
PETTS WOOD • Free estimates Quotations If it’s not listed, ask us!
19, Chatsworth Parade, Queensway,
Reliable, friendly & local 26, CHATTERTON ROAD, Evans of Petts Wood.
Orpington, Bromley BR5 1DF
service BROMLEY, BR2 9QN 9, Chatsworth Parade,
01689 822291
Phone Mark
Tel: 020 8290 1456
mingspictureframing@gmail.com 01689 871359
07802217535
Mobile Chiropodist BITS & JOBS
Helen Powell Tom Smith - Handy Man
MSSCH MBChA
• HPC registered No Job Too Small
• 20 years experience
• Mobile treatments direct to your door Painting/Decorating
• Covering Orpington and surrounding
areas
General DIY
• A complete foot care service Hedge Trimming Gardening
To book a consultation consult me on
Tel: 07876218889 or Email: Give me a call on
helen.powell27@hotmail.com 07792 314255
8 Roundabout March 2022
You can also read
